ASK KICKSTAND

Ask Kickstand is an email advice column dedicated to motorcycle questions. These questions can be technical: regarding mechanical issues, safety related, philosophical, spiritual or relationship issues.

Disclaimer: Kickstand is not a psychiatrist, a professional mechanic, Motorcycle Safety Trainer, pastor or a social worker. If readers choose to follow Kickstand's advice it is with the understanding that neither Kickstand nor the Nobody Motorcycle Club will be held liable.

Dear Kickstand,

I own and ride a 49 cc scooter. I ride year round using my scooter mainly to commute to work. Last year I rode nearly 7,000 miles. I get a lot of grief at work from people who own motorcycles. Most of these people have very large bikes (1000 cc or larger). They keep telling me to get a real cycle. I tell them that I enjoy my small scooter and that I don't need a big bike to experience the joys of cycling. I came across your blog and immediately realized that there are others out in the cycle world that also believe that size does not matter. Is there any way to convince my co- workers that I am in deed a biker too?

Sincerely Moto Woozy

Dear Moto Woozy,

I agree with you, One can experience the joy of motorcycling on any size bike or scooter. In reality that is what is important. If you are enjoying your riding, that is all that matters. I believe you are wasting time and energy trying to win over your co-worker bikers. Now there are a few techniques you can use to quiet down the biker buzz.

1. Do some research on small cc riders. There have been and continue to be some very interesting stories about people who have taken unbelievable trips on there little bikes. Start sharing some of these stories with your biker banters
2. Talk about your rides and ask your co-worker bikers what kind of mileage they are racking up. You may discover that many of them seldom ride and log less than 500 miles a year.
3. If you live in a climate that offers some nasty weather, ride to work during a storm. When questioned about it, just talk about how you enjoy riding in all kinds of weather.
4. Do an extreme ride and document it with photos.
5. Get a speeding ticket on your scooter. You simply need to find a very large hill and get your scooter going about 85 miles an hour. Keep doing it until you get pulled over. There is nothing like breaking the law on ones bike to gain respect.

Lets face it Moto, no matter what you do, you may never win over these critical co-workers. Just enjoy riding your scooter and have some adventures. And remember the Nobodies are on your side.